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Ulterra Celebrates Recent Success with Rotary Steerable Systems in the Wolfbone Area

22 April 2016

In the past six months, operators drilling in the Wolfbone area of the Delaware Basin have been looking more to rotary steerable systems (RSS) to reduce the time spent drilling lateral wells. RSS have become a more affordable option due to their reduced cost in the down market.

Ulterra was challenged to create a bit design that was capable of finishing extended laterals in one run while encountering shales with varying carbonate content. This new design must rotate exceptionally well, be able to produce accurate corrections on a motorized push-the-bit system, and withstand the higher RPM capabilities of new rotary steerable systems.

This resulted in Ulterra’s 8.5” U616S built to dominate these intervals. The U616S features Ulterra’s CounterForce® technology which provides smooth torque responses providing longer life for expensive rotary steerable components. CounterForce also redirects vibrations back into the formation, creating a much more efficient cutting structure that produces higher ROP. The U616S also features an extended gauge pad to help the bit track in long laterals and reduce corrective actions. This new CounterForce design features a steel construction that increases the junk slot area by nearly 12% from its matrix counterpart and allows lower cuttings evacuation times producing higher ROP.

After its first two runs, Ulterra’s 8.5” U616S CounterForce completed both intervals successfully in one run producing an average ROP 15% higher than competitor designs. The ability to complete the interval in one run while producing higher ROP allowed Ulterra to save the operator an average of $7.24/ft for a total of $67,049 in a lateral well.

By: Josh Criswell, West Texas Sales Engineer